Definition of 'ward'

Word Frequency

ward

(wɔːʳd )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense wards , present participle warding , past tense, past participle warded

1. countable noun

A ward is a room in a hospital which has beds for many people, often people who need similar treatment.

A toddler was admitted to the emergency ward with a wound in his chest.

Synonyms: room, department, unit, quarter More Synonyms of ward

2. countable noun

A ward is a district which forms part of a political constituency or local council.

...the marginal wards of Reading Kentwood and Tilehurst West. [+ of]

3. countable noun

A ward or a ward of court is a child who is the responsibility of a person called a guardian, or of a court of law, because their parents are dead or because they are believed to be in need of protection.

Alex was made a ward of court. [+ of]

Phrasal verbs:

ward off

More Synonyms of ward

Word Frequency

ward in British

(wɔːd )

noun

(in many countries) a district into which a city, town, parish, or other area is divided for administration, election of representatives, etc

a room in a hospital, esp one for patients requiring similar kinds of care

a maternity ward

one of the divisions of a prison

an open space enclosed within the walls of a castle

5. law

a. Also called: ward of court

a person, esp a minor or one legally incapable of managing his or her own affairs, placed under the control or protection of a guardian or of a court

guardianship, as of a minor or legally incompetent person

the state of being under guard or in custody

a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another

a means of protection

an internal ridge or bar in a lock that prevents an incorrectly cut key from turning

a corresponding groove cut in a key

10. a less common word for warden1

verb

11. (transitive) archaic

to guard or protect

Derived forms

wardless (ˈwardless)

adjective

Word origin of 'ward'

Old English weard protector; related to Old High German wart, Old Saxon ward, Old Norse vorthr. See guard

Word Frequency

Ward in British

(wɔːd )

noun

Dame Barbara (Mary), Baroness Jackson. 1914–81, British economist, environmentalist, and writer. Her books include Spaceship Earth (1966)

Mrs Humphry, married name of Mary Augusta Arnold. 1851–1920, English novelist. Her novels include Robert Elsmere (1888) and The Case of Richard Meynell (1911)

Sir Joseph George. 1856–1930, New Zealand statesman; prime minister of New Zealand (1906–12; 1928–30)

Word Frequency

Ward in American

(wɔrd ; wôrd)

1. Pseudonym

ˈArtemus (ˈɑrtəməs ) ; ärtˈəməs) (pseud. of Charles Farrar Browne) 1834-67; U.S. humorist

Mrs. Humphry(born Mary Augusta Arnold) 1851-1920; Brit. novelist, born in Tasmania

Word Frequency

ward in American

(wɔrd ; wôrd)

verb transitive

to turn aside; fend off; parry

usually with off

2. Archaic

to keep watch over; guard; protect

noun

the act of guarding

Example sentences containing 'ward'

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There are emergency wards where the longest serving employee has been there four or five months. Times, Sunday Times (2017)Many of the worst cases end up in hospital emergency wards. Times, Sunday Times (2016)Experts claim it has filled hospital wards to bursting. The Sun (2016)Reports of the virus spreading in hospital wards continue, with at least four wards being closed this week. Times, Sunday Times (2017)The male orthopaedic surgery ward was full of men like him. Times, Sunday Times (2011)She wants mental health wards to be run like hotels rather than hospitals to improve patient wellbeing. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Trust is now in the emergency ward. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Strictly for people looking to ward off insomnia. The Sun (2014)Relief as the doors of the ward were locked behind me. Times, Sunday Times (2006)My next memory is of waking the following morning in a hospital ward. Times, Sunday Times (2007)She was kept on a psychiatric ward for six days before being released. The Sun (2010)Until then heart patients used to be dotted around general wards. Times, Sunday Times (2015)They are standing in four wards in the council polls tomorrow. Times, Sunday Times (2009)We invite him to spend a day on a hospital ward with one of our healthcare assistants. The Sun (2011)We walked through the swing doors and into the critical care ward. Times, Sunday Times (2009)All the wards are at full capacity. The Sun (2013) Mental health wards are often so appalling that they make patients worse rather than better. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Today he divides his time between emergency wards and electric guitars. Times, Sunday Times (2013)Picture yourself as a nurse on a busy ward for older people. Times, Sunday Times (2011)It was so relaxed and much nicer than the hospital ward. The Sun (2013)She is admitted to a psychiatric ward. The Sun (2014)This means they will be lumped in with patients in general wards. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Nursing staff will be told to inform trust boards directly if the hospital needs more isolation wards or cleaning equipment. Times, Sunday Times (2007)Meanwhile, the doors to those wards remain locked to outsiders. Times, Sunday Times (2011)I hurriedly ushered them out but had to hang around waiting for a nurse to open the ward door. Times, Sunday Times (2015)

Trends of 'ward'

In Common Usage. ward is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'ward'

Related Terms of 'ward'

Source

Definition of ward from the Collins English Dictionary

Distributives

Distributives are determiners that are used to talk about how something is shared out or divided. The distributives are each, every, either, and neither. They are used with a singular noun. Each chi...